Cricket and I wanted to thank the Church for the prayers that were offered
up while we were traveling. Obviously, they were answered! Our trip was
very smooth and there were not any problems at all going or coming back.
One of the most important prayers was for the Lord to blind the eyes of the
customs officials as we entered the airport. We had several Bibles and a
lot of Sunday School material that we had packed away in our suitcases for
the home cells. As we entered, we are normally a little apprehensive as
most luggage is search piece by piece for different contraband that is not
allowed into the country (bibles are considered contraband). However, this
time, we were directed to a new x-ray machine to have our luggage checked.
As the porter placed it on the belt, it seemed to glide through without out
any problem. I know that the customs officer was looking at the monitor,
but I suppose that he was in a trance, kind of like those soldiers at the
tomb of Jesus. We happily collected our luggage at the other end and made
our way out of the airport.
We live there in a small village. It is “walled” village with about 700
villas that house about 1500-2000 residents. Once inside, you might compare
it to a small European community. It has almost everything that is needed
for survival, a supermarket, a restaurant, a beauty salon/barbershop, a
cleaner, a health clinic, a travel agent, a limo service, two recreational
centers with pools and tennis courts, and a health club. So, inside, it is
fairly nice, but on the outside it looks like an “army base”.
There are armed soldiers at almost every corner along with American made Hum
Vees with large weapons mounted on the top. When you pass through the
security gate, they scan your vehicle for explosives. Then you enter
through a heavily guarded gate where two machine gun stations are located.
It is a little scary since most of the soldiers look like they are under 18
years old! They are probably older, but they really look young and normally
very sleepy.
As we settled in, we contacted our friends that are still living there to
let them know that we had made it and were going to be staying for a couple
of months.
After two days of rest and since Saturday was the first day of the week
there, I left for my work as normal. As most of you know already, I used to
be the General Manager of one of the largest Carpet Manufacturers in the
country. Today, I work mainly as an Executive Consultant for them about
three or four months per year.
Cricket began her daily life there visiting and fellowshipping with her
friends. She always had plenty to keep her busy since there are more
shopping centers in the city than I have ever seen before in my life (and
more on the way). The saying is that “you could shop in a different store
everyday for the next twenty years and never shop the same place twice”. I
believe Cricket has already made the whole round! There is a shopping bus
that takes the ladies out everyday to different locations since they cannot
drive themselves. The times on the shopping busses are some of the most
memorable for them. Always they come back with a funny story or two.
On this visit, Cricket was able to visit a battered women’s shelter that has
been started in the last year. She was very distraught when she returned
because of the sadness that filled the place. As you already know, the men
in these countries don’t put much worth on the women’s rights and there were
many young women that had been abused and mistreated badly. There is a real
need there for these types of shelters, but I am sorrow to say, there are
not nearly enough. Please pray for these women who are caught up in these
horrible situations without help.
As we started attending the cell group meetings, it was obvious to us that a
lot of people had left and the security issue was a great concern. On our
first Wednesday night meeting, there was only a hand full in attendance. We
were very disappointed. But, praise the Lord, before we left, that group
had picked back up to 18-20 each week. God is still on His throne!
One of the Friday Worship groups had been cancelled for about 6 months
because of security concerns. I might have mentioned already to a few of
you that the host couple of this group (am British Man and a Pilipino woman)
are not Christians yet, but I believe that they are close to making a
decision. Please be in prayer for their salvation. However, they agreed to
start hosting the group again so we set it up for the next Friday. There
were a good number that attended after many phone calls to former attendees
and the service was very good. However, the second week after the restart,
there were only 3-4 people. The third week, it was cancelled again due to
security concerns. Please be in much prayer for this issue. We need to
pray against the spirit of fear that dwells in this home. We are looking
for another site for this group, but as of yet, we still have not found one.
Another opportunity has presented itself to a couple of the women. They
have been able to visit a home for mentally disabled Children. It is called
“Happy House”. They have been asked to do volunteer work there several days
each week. Please be in prayer that they will be protected and that God’s
Word would get to those children through them.
Another prayer request is for one of the senior pastors, Steve (last name
withheld for obvious reasons). He had a light stroke last year just after
we left in January. He has been struggling to get his muscle control back
but still has problems in walking without support and movement in his left
hand. God has protected his mind and he is still able to share God’s Word
in a powerful way. He is preaching three to four times each week at
different groups. But, since he is there alone, he really needs his muscle
control back to be able to get around. Please pray in this regard.
I am planning on returning sometimes in July. Please start praying for
those plans. For the time being, I will just enjoy the Lord at New Hope!
In His Service, Rickey and
Cricket
Here are a couple of interesting
pictures.
1) Cricket welcomes a tour group
to an Old City Tour.
2) Cricket and a few of the
women’s group just after the tour.
